I wanted to thank her for calling me and to reassure her that we could help. I wanted to tell her that we knew of a number of families who were licensed foster homes, ready and willing to welcome this precious child and surround her with the love of Jesus. I wanted to be able to connect her with people who would not only welcome this precious child, but who would commit to building a relationship with the girl's mother, if possible, and assist her in her efforts to parent her daughter. I wanted to tell her that we were surrounded by an army of like-minded people, people who knew firsthand the redemptive and restorative power of our great God and were eager to see redemption and restoration become reality in the lives of foster children and their families. I wanted to tell her of a network of support, of people ready to provide meals and respite and listening ears and prayer. I wanted to tell her that I could connect her with people who had counted the cost, answered this particular call, and were living in the glorious freedom of faithfully following our Lord into the broken and messy places.
Instead, I told her that unless she knew of a licensed foster home, there was little we could do. I explained how the system works, or what I know of it, and I listened to her. I offered a couple of ideas for ways to stay connected with this girl, perhaps through respite. I hung up, my spirit restless and discontent. I know foster families like this exist. I know there are people who view foster care as a calling, who commit to walking out this calling with courage and compassion. I've heard stories of birth mothers welcomed into families, and given the opportunity to learn from the foster mother. I've heard of mothers eased back into motherhood by being allowed to rock their babies to sleep in a foster home. I know a foster mom who took a young mom under her wing and taught her how to throw a birthday party for her child. I have read of another foster mom who has committed to staying connected with children that have been in her care, and makes herself available to provide respite (relief care) for the biological family who is working hard to keep it together. I know of a foster family being stretched way beyond what they thought they could do so that they can keep a sibling group together. I know foster families who have welcomed a child temporarily, then realized that this child was home, and become that child's forever family through adoption.
So, why did I not have more to offer on the phone yesterday? I'm sure there are many reasons. I'm sure we could do more to raise awareness, and to get connected with foster families, and to be more intentional about seeing this vision become reality. I'm also sure there is great need for more families to rise up in obedience and answer the call God has placed on their hearts to care for the most vulnerable in our society. What can we do?? How can we build a community of families determined to see God's kingdom come, His will done, His children cared for? Will you pray with me that the Lord will raise up people committed to bringing His justice - His restoration and redemption - to the world? Let's do this. Let's lay aside our expectations for how our lives will look, and let's ask the Lord to give us eyes to see what He has for us, and for our world through us.
